Chapter 67: Unyielding—Defying the Head of the Wen Family!

"This is the first time anyone has spoken to me like this. Young man, you are quite interesting—truly, very interesting."

On the large screen appeared a man in his fifties, simply dressed in a black traditional suit. His face was broad and square, and between his brows there was an imposing presence that inspired awe without anger.

"Wen Xiu, greeting the family head!"

Wen Xiu knelt deeply before the screen, observing the formal ritual every member of the Wen family must perform upon seeing Wen Tao, the family head. Even Wen Xiu, a legitimate child, could not call him 'father,' but only 'family head.'

"What’s wrong, Wan'er? Have you been away so long you've forgotten the family etiquette?" Wen Tao’s voice sent a tremor through Wen Wan’s body; she struggled instinctively to get down, but Chen Luo held her tightly.

"Don’t move. Don’t be afraid."

Hearing Chen Luo’s words, Wen Wan’s trembling gradually subsided. She raised her head to look at him, and Chen Luo, smiling, tilted his head up to face the screen.

"My apologies, uncle. Wan'er is unwell today and cannot perform the ritual."

Upon hearing this, Wen Tao arched his brow slightly, gazing silently at Chen Luo.

Wen Xiu was drenched in cold sweat. Did he even hear what he just said?

The Wen family was a centuries-old house, holding etiquette in the highest regard. Whenever the current head appeared, even if a family member was sick or crippled, they would still prostrate themselves! Was he courting death? Didn’t he realize he might drag me down with him if father lost his temper?

Wen Xiu desperately signaled to Wen Wan and Chen Luo to hurry up and perform the ceremony.

But Chen Luo ignored him. His actions were not meant to show defiance or to leave an unruly impression on his future father-in-law. He had only one purpose: to use this exchange with Wen Tao to give Wen Wan hope for recovery.

Whether it was Wen Wan’s recollection of their hellish training together, or Mo Lan’s mention of the Wen family’s ruthless traditions, or Wen Wan’s decisive, twisted temperament—her coldness toward everyone except him—it was clear Wen Wan’s depression was a traumatic stress disorder.

Ordinarily, she might suppress it with her will and resilience, but under certain conditions, her symptoms would flare from psyche to body.

From Wen Wan’s reaction upon seeing Wen Tao, Chen Luo could be certain: the cause of her trauma was this very man.

Judging from Wen Xiu and Wen Wan, the legitimate children of the Wen family were all exceptional talents. Yet when facing their father, terror overtook them. Clearly, Wen Tao’s methods were harsh, even cruel.

Thus, if Chen Luo wanted to heal Wen Wan, his first step must be to help her overcome her fear.

"Uncle, allow me to introduce myself. I am Chen Luo, Wan'er’s boyfriend."

"Yes, I know. I’ve studied your background thoroughly," Wen Tao replied blandly.

Wen Wan’s eyes flashed with panic at the words. Chen Luo had come to Wen Tao’s attention—what if he decided to act against Chen Luo? The strength she wielded could handle Wen Xiu, but against the whole Wen family, protecting Chen Luo would be far from enough.

Right! If it comes to it, I’ll take Chen Luo abroad—maybe there’s a sliver of hope.

"Chen Luo, let’s go back. I have—"

"Wan’er." Chen Luo’s gentle voice interrupted. "Don’t be nervous. This is just a simple meeting with the parents. I trust uncle will not mind my discourtesy, right? Uncle?"

He smiled at Wen Tao, while Wen Xiu felt an urge to flee.

Damn! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You dare speak to my father like this? In the capital, only those ancient bigwigs would speak to him so boldly!

"Very well." Wen Tao’s face darkened as he spoke.

"You know who I am. Knowing that, you still dare speak to me this way?"

His expression grew thunderous, the gathering storm already terrifying before its full force was unleashed.

Wen Xiu immediately knelt and knocked his head to the floor before the screen.

"Father, please calm your anger!"

He remembered the last time Wen Tao looked so grim—it was five years ago, when a top family in the capital was wiped out from top to bottom.

Seeing Wen Tao’s wrath, Wen Wan instinctively burrowed into Chen Luo’s embrace. Chen Luo gently patted her back.

"I know. You are Wan'er’s father, my future father-in-law."

"Is that all?"

"That’s all."

"That’s all?" Wen Tao repeated, his smile returning.

"Young man, are you truly unafraid?"

"Not afraid."

"Wen Xiu and Wen Wan both fear me, and they are extraordinary. Why do you not?"

"I have no reason to fear someone from whom I seek nothing and dread nothing."

"If there ever comes a day I fear you, it will be after I’m married and Wan'er runs to you to complain after an argument. Then, I’ll be scared."

"Hahaha!" Wen Tao burst into rare, hearty laughter at Chen Luo’s words. Wen Xiu and Wen Wan were both stunned; never in their lives had they heard Wen Tao laugh like this.

Their impression of him had always been one of silent authority—today, Chen Luo had made him laugh. Truly remarkable.

"You are excellent, young man. Wan'er, bring him to the capital for Spring Festival. I want to meet him face to face and see if he is worthy of you."

Wen Wan was stunned. What was happening? Was Wen Tao inviting Chen Luo to the capital? What did this signal mean?

"Wan'er, since Chen Luo is unharmed, your squabbles with your brothers can end. Otherwise, your father will be displeased."

"Fifth brother, come back to the capital. The northwest needs an overseer; you go."

In a few words, Wen Tao resolved the conflict between Wen Wan and her brothers, and sent Wen Xiu to the northwest, clearly leaving the southeastern territory to Wen Wan.

His warning—"your father will be displeased"—was blunt: if the fighting continued, he would intervene himself.

He truly deserved his reputation as the patriarch of one of the ten great families; with a few simple phrases, he diffused a commercial war that could have swept half the nation.

After these words, Wen Tao turned to Chen Luo.

"Young man, come to the capital for Spring Festival. Remember to bring some local specialties for me to taste."

"All right, I’m hanging up."

The image on the screen vanished, and Elder Zhang quietly exited the villa.

After a moment, Chen Luo released Wen Wan, who remained anxious.

Now that Wen Tao had set his sights on Chen Luo, what did he mean by those "local specialties"? There was surely a deeper meaning.

While she pondered, Chen Luo took her hand and led her outside.

"Darling, stop worrying. Let’s go home."

"Didn’t you say you’d devour me the moment we got back? I’m ready, you know!"